Should the medical go well, then all would seem clear for the move to go through for the 25-year-old, after the clubs have worked hard to clear any last-minute hurdles.

Town will not comment until any deal is done, but sources on Teesside say Boro manager Aitor Karanka spoke to Clayton to re-iterate how much he was wanted at the Riverside (Brighton have also been interested in the player since last January).

Butterfield is said to have already had initial talks with Town – he’s reportedly a £750,000-rated capture – but couldn’t complete any move because of the Clayton hold-up.

All this took place while Mark Robins was still manager of Town, but it’s understood the Leeds Road club still admire the 24-year-old Bradford-born Butterfield, who made his name at Barnsley before a move to Norwich City, where he couldn’t break into the senior set-up (he was loaned to Bolton and Crystal Palace before signing for Boro).

Town have already signed goalkeeper Joe Murphy – who could get the nod against Chesterfield in the Capital One Cup tonight – midfielders Radi Majewski (season-long loan) and Conor Coady, and defender Lee Peltier, who is the new captain.